Uhuru Hits Back at Ruto, Describes Him as a Ghost Worker

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) with his successor William Ruto (right) at a past church function in Nairobi.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) with his successor William Ruto (right) at a past church function in Nairobi.
File

UPDATE Monday, February 7: Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has hit back at President Uhuru Kenyatta following his comment accusing Deputy President William Ruto of bad politics and absenteeism from work.

In a video recording, Sudi challenged the Head of State to hasten up his time from power by launching his projects arguing that many poor Kenyans did not identify themselves with the Jubilee administration anymore.

"I have seen someone with projects of his own he is pushing and wants to hang around in government saying there are people hanging on cars. He says no work is done on a car.

"Starting 2002, you were helped and the people were standing on cars, not inside and now you are there. Even in 2017. That is not the issue, hasten up because your time is up. You are in a Whatsapp Group with Gideon (Moi) and colleagues who have no idea when peoples say they are hungry. You ask them if they are sick, lacked time or did not have an appetite. There are people with no money. Some parents struggle to take parents to school.," he stated in clip that was laden with unprintables.


President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, February 7, took a swipe at Deputy President William Ruto over what he described as bad politics of spreading lies and absenteeism at work.  

Speaking in Mombasa during the launch of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Conference in Mombasa, the Head of State boasted of the achievement his administration had made since assuming power in 2013.

In an apparent reference to his deputy, Uhuru decried that some politicians had taken to the streets to claim ownership of some government projects while at the same time criticising the state's track record. 

"Those who are peddling lies can't change our achievements. Let us remain focused. If there are things that are not right, that is why you are here to help us.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) greets his deputy William Ruto (right) during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi on Sunday, December 12, 2021
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) greets President William Ruto (right) during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi on Sunday, December 12, 2021
PSCU

"We have seen those who are just saying they did this and at the same time claiming that the government has done nothing. Work is not done on top of cars, it is done in offices and hospitals. The nurse does not peddle lies but goes to wards and theatres. In this Kenya, we see a lot," he explained.

Although he did not mention his deputy by name, the speech marked the first time that the President had spoken in reference to the DP since Ruto made a direct attack to his boss while speaking in Kirinyaga. 

"My friend Uhuru Kenyatta, spare us the kitendawili experiment, spare us your project, the country of Kenya cannot afford the kitendawili project. We have supported you for many years but we are telling you this country will not accept your project which is meant to destroy this country," the DP stated on January 29. 

During the Mombasa conference, Uhuru noted that since the molecular centre was set up at Kenyatta University, some families had been saved unnecessary trips abroad to seek medical attention.

He noted that over 200 people had already been treated at the centre which meant that 20 patients went through the medical system at the institution per day.

"There is an institution at KU that has treated over 200 Patients who would have been forced to travel to India for the same.

"We are also receiving patients from the region who are coming for that same service. We are opening a similar facility in Mombasa," he noted expecting the hospitals to save Kenya Ksh400 million.

The Head of State also promised that families which had been afflicted by huge bills abroad will have a sigh of relief since the treatment, which affects Cancer patients mostly, will be covered by the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

He also noted that Kenya produced quality nurses and doctors which is why foreign countries sought their services. The only misgiving involved their adaptability to technological trends which the state seeks to cover.

"Canada, UK, Australia wouldn't be here trying to get our nurses to go and work in their hospitals if we were not producing good quality people.

"What we need is to ensure that the skills they have are equivalent to the kind of technology that is available out there and they would provide our people with the same level of service," he added.

Below is the video:

{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/mrcyRNkUw80.jpg?itok=cHAn9uil","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}